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Live blog: Kiwis v France

Hello and welcome to our live blog of the Rugby League World Cup Group B clash between the Kiwis and France.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 6:37:19 PM

Despite winning 42-24 against Samoa in their World Cup opener on Monday, the Kiwis walked away disappointed with their performance. An hour's worth of quality footy was ruined by a terrible 20 minutes and the key for this game in Avignon will be to avoid one of those mini meltdowns again.

France might be a handy side, and they should qualify from Pool B at this World Cup, but they shouldn't be a match for New Zealand.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 6:41:58 PM

The withdrawal of Thomas Leuluai from the side is a blow for the Kiwis but it gives Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran another chance to develop their relationship in the halves.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 6:42:24 PM

The home side, ranked fourth in the world, have shown little form in recent weeks after being beaten 22-18 by the United States in a World Cup warmup and then relying on Papua New Guinea goalkicker David Mead missing a late penalty from in front of the posts to win 9-8 in their opening game of the tournament.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 6:43:21 PM

Coach Stephen Kearney has made six changes - he originally made seven with Leuluai - to give everyone a chance to push for a starting spot. One is fullback Kevin Locke, who gets an opportunity in place of Josh Hoffman.

My name is Steven Holloway and I'm here to keep you up to date with all the action. Click 'comment now' to add your input. Who will win? Who are you excited to watch? Where are you watching from. Lets hear it.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 6:54:52 PM

The teams are out on the field and the Kiwi national anthem is ringing through the French air. Looks like some pretty emotional faces out there too.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 6:55:42 PM

Kiwi listening in from Italy! Good Luck boys!

by Sam Goa11/1/2013 6:56:14 PM

Go the Kiwis. Calling from Feilding!

by Peter11/1/2013 6:56:15 PM

It's the French turn now and the full house at Parc Des Sports are on their feet. Over 17,000 French fans just sung the house down.

We are underway, France kick off and it's down deep into the hands of Waerea-Hargreaves.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:03:25 PM

Johnson bombs high on the fifth and it cause the French backline some problems. But eventually a scrum is called after a Kiwi knock on.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:04:46 PM

Thomas Bosc replies with a huge bomb of his own on the French fifth and Kevin Locke knocks it on. But the French runners were offside.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:05:59 PM

Lucky escape for the Kiwis.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:06:06 PM

TRY KIWIS!

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:06:38 PM

Krisnan Inu climbs highest to retrieve a crossfield kick from Kieran Foran and lands on the goal line to touch down easily. That was all a bit simple for the Kiwis but great athleticism from Inu.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:07:39 PM

Shaun Johnson converts from 20m out on a slight angle. Kiwis lead 6-0.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:08:14 PM

5 MIN - KIWIS 6 FRANCE 0

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:08:33 PM

This is a big game for Krisnan Inu. Dean Whare has one centres spot nailed down but the other is up for grabs and Bryson Goodwin was poor last weekend against Samoa. It's almost like today's game is a trial, especially as coach Stephen Kearney would prefer not to use a second-rower in the centres.

by Michael Brown11/1/2013 7:08:43 PM

Johnson kicks deep again on the Kiwis' last and the ball trickles out into touch deep in the French corner.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:09:34 PM

When are the kiwis coaching squad gunna realise that inu is the game changer for the kiwis?

That's two in two minutes. This time it's big Frank Pritchard. Johnson goes to the air, Nightingale climbed the highest and helped offload the ball to Pritchard who strolled across the line from 3m out.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:12:56 PM

There seems to be some uncertainty over the catching of the ball. We are still waiting for official confirmation.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:13:36 PM

Wow No try!

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:14:34 PM

It's judged that Nightingale knocked the ball on. Seemed dubious from my angle. Still 6-0 to the Kiwis after 9 minutes.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:15:03 PM

Both scoring chances have so far come from kicks and both - one from Foran the other from Johnson - were on the money. The Kiwis have made a good start and are looking clinical, strong and efficient but the French aren't offering much.

by Michael Brown11/1/2013 7:15:38 PM

Good set from the French pins the Kiwis back deep in their half. Tuivasa-Sheck does well to escape from in-goal, but just as quick the French are pinged for being offside.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:16:56 PM

No coverage of the game here... Thanks for sharing the game with us Steven, always great commentary... Let's Give Em a Taste! (Of Kiwi that is).

by Kiwi in Brisbane11/1/2013 7:17:01 PM

Simon Mannering is sporting a beaut of a blood nose after copping one in the face during the last play. The game is paused as he receives treatment.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:18:52 PM

Kane Bentley very slightly overcooks a 40-20 attempt and the ball flies into touch on the full. Another good chance for the Kiwis now.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:20:25 PM

Issac Luke tries a sneaky little kick in-goal but it's too heavy and the French are let off the hook.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:21:20 PM

Locke puts down another French bomb and the Kiwis are in trouble here.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:22:23 PM

Baile gets to the loose ball and is pulled down 1m from the line.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:22:52 PM

Big Sam Kasiano delivers a huuuuge hit on Bentley in the next play and gives the Kiwis a chance to regroup.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:23:23 PM

Penalty France. Ill discipline from the Kiwis. The French will put the pressure on again.

by Steven Holloway11/1/2013 7:23:55 PM

Duport goes close to the line but Kiwis defence stands strong. They go for the cross field kick on the last but the ball is knocked on by Escare.